Advanced Clinical Social Worker (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Torrington, CT

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Us as an Advanced Clinical Social Worker within our Access Team. The Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking an experienced and mission-drive Advanced Clinical Social Worker (PCN 25907) to join our Mobile Crisis/Access team in Torrington. This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position, Sunday - Thursday, First shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., located at 249 Winsted Rd, Torrington, CT. The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is a healthcare agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve. The Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN) was formed in 1996 by the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), in order to coordinate clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of Region 5 contracted and state-operated mental health services. Within this service system, there are three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities, which are located in Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington. In partnership with the WCMHN they provide and coordinate local clinical services. Over 200 staff including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation, vocational and mental health workers provide services for persons with a long-term mental illness. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect. The Access Center is an information and referral source for individuals with behavioral health and addiction diagnoses. Access Center staff is available by telephone for support, information, referrals, and mobile outreach. The goal is to provide support and information to reduce symptomatology, and to improve quality of life. Its philosophy is to maintain the individual in the least restrictive environment. Access Center staff also provide intake/assessment and referrals to determine service needs and treatment options for individuals.

Requirements

One (1) year of experience as a licensed clinical social worker.
Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice clinical social work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (m-z) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. § 1320a-7b(f).
Considerable knowledge of and ability to instruct others about theories of human behavior, current diagnostic categories of mental illness, family dynamics, substance abuse and human sexuality; of social, cultural, economic, political, religious, medical, psychological and legal issues which influence behavior of clients, families, service programs and society at large; Knowledge of statutes, regulations and standards relating to mental health services; state law governing licensed clinical social worker practice standards; Considerable oral and written communication skills; administrative skills; Considerable ability to independently apply in practice current psychiatric treatment modalities including but not limited to behavioral, cognitive, object-relations, crisis intervention and psychosocial rehabilitation approaches; Ability to integrate theory and case material in assessing and devising comprehensive treatment and/or service plans for difficult and/or complex case assignments; lead task groups including but not limited to treatment teams and agency committees.

Nice To Haves

Experience performing intake (psychosocial) assessments and initial care planning.
Experience completing community-based crisis assessments.
Experience completing risk assessments and developing risk mitigation plans.
Experience providing trauma informed services to individuals with severe and prolonged mental illness, addiction and co-morbid medial conditions.
Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in designated positions.
Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in designated positions.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Responsibilities

Conducting community‑based crisis evaluations, assessing risk, and formulating immediate clinical interventions, including completing Emergency Certificates when indicated
Providing crisis triage, support, and resource activation through the Regional Hotline
Completing intake services for the 19 towns in the CAC 22 area, including psychosocial and risk assessments and all required admission documentation
Collaborating closely with contract agencies, community providers, DMHAS, local hospitals, and local and State police to coordinate care and ensure client safety
Linking individuals to appropriate services, offering community resource information, and managing risk to prevent negative outcomes
Providing coverage for the Jail Diversion program, including court‑requested assessments and clinical recommendations for treatment
Coordinating care and monitoring client engagement in psychiatric and substance‑use treatment services
Delivering individual and group psychotherapy to a small caseload
Developing and implementing person‑centered recovery plans that guide treatment and support recovery goals
Participating in case conferences and critical incident reviews to support continuous quality improvement
Documenting all interventions, assessments, and required reports in the electronic health record in accordance with agency standards
Serving on organizational committees and participating in staff trainings as assigned
Providing shift oversight for Access Center staff and offering clinical supervision to assigned staff, students, and interns
Independently provides highly skilled direct clinical social work treatment and/or substance abuse services to clients with complex psychological and social problems through comprehensive clinical assessments and provision of individual, family and group treatment
Provides individual field work instruction and/or clinical supervision which includes instruction in use of comprehensive psychosocial assessments and current diagnostic categories, taking into consideration cultural, social, economic, medical, environmental and legal issues
Develops comprehensive service plans including measurable treatment objectives
Initiates consultation and collaboration with other mental health providers to improve delivery of current services and/or identify unmet needs within current service system
Provides clinical supervision to Licensed Master Social Workers
Assists in resolution of administrative, personnel and clinical issues in program and/or agency
Develops data for statistical and planning systems and/or research and publication
Prepares administrative reports and suggests operational policies and procedures
Oversees development and/or implementation of individual client treatment and/or service plans
May provide clinical and/or administrative leadership to program components such as crisis intervention teams, inpatient treatment teams, case management teams, psychoeducational program services, psychosocial rehabilitation and forensic services
May provide forensic evaluations and expert testimony to courts
May represent program or agency during licensing and certification inspections conducted by regulatory bodies
May represent program or agency in liaison relationships with other community agencies and resources
May provide in-service educational presentations concerning available health, mental health and human services resources and means to access them
May chair facility or community-based committees that develop policies and plans to serve psychiatrically disabled individuals
May present information on mental illness and mental health services to community groups